Invasion of the Bubble Necklaces

[BreatheDecor]

Is it just me or have others noticed an increase of mass produced items/resellers on Etsy particularly with this current trend of Bubble Necklaces for example? I reported until my fingers got numb :/
Should I bother or am I wasting my time? If I turn the other way does that just make way for escalation of the problem? (resellers)

[PlatoSquirrel]

Don 't bother.. I used to not care until it hit home... (quilts). I even gave the website where they were purchased wholesale from India, everyday for a month...nothing. I tried to stop caring ;)

[Former_Member]

I see hundreds of those, in exactly the same style with different color variations. I have seen many things in the vintage category too where people sell "vintage" materials that I happened to see at my local big box craft store the other day.

I think it has to be pretty blatant for Etsy to do anything about it... I would rather invest my time into being found and promoting my store.

[JustForGiggles]

my GOODness! Just ran a search for them. a million of the same thing in different shops. Craziness.

[RunkPockDesigns]

ummm what about those small bird necklaces? Every time I try to look for anything on Etsy I see at least 3 of those bird necklaces on every page... all from different shops.

[Former_Member]

Yup I report too but no results
I do handmade glass jewelry and he decor and artwork
Saturday spent my day at a juried ;( craft fair
Out of thirty vendors, a large two were blatant jewelry resellers (stella and dot) etc & Avon type stuff(they had mega sales) yet reps wanted my handmade items to have sterling silver chunky chains (@ $20 total)
Hell hath no rant and rave this morning like exhausted handmade artist!

[MetalRoosterOrganics]

I just looked up the Bubble necklaces, and Oh my its crazy how screwed up that is. I know for myself, that I saw a lot of resellers on here when I was planning my wedding, as well as I just finally gave up over a year of no sales in my pillow making because well resellers are starting to get over there too. I know of a few people that have the same exact pictures as what they post on Alibaba.com for pillow covers, so I just jumped ship from the sewing and am looking to open up a bath and body soap making store at the first of the year. I'm starting to get my inventory in and everything and it seems like this way at least you know that everything is handmade, and not some overproduced crap in a sweat shop. It just makes me sad that I'm going to have to shut down my other store, because I named it after my two grandmothers, but I will still keep my blog the same name.

[Former_Member]

Wow. I can't believe this is happening. I once ignorantly listed a service, a drilling fee for making beads, and I was contacted within 24 hours that services are not allowed on Etsy. So, it surprises me that Etsy is allowing this kind of junk.

[Former_Member]

Oh my god, totally agree and the crazy numbers of the Bubble Necklaces. I actually also see them everywhere at shopping mall and markets. Hope Etsy could manage and concern about this.

[NeedaCraftRoom]

totally outrageous
this damages the reputation of Etsy and every genuine seller here
shame on etsy for allowing this!

[BeadworkAndCoe]

Every time I see one of them necklaces it annoys me a bit more, but I have given up on the idea that etsy actually cares.
They make their money no matter what the item is and as long as people buy these things they will continue to be listed.
The irony is that people come to etsy for handmade and leave with a bubble necklace ...

[Former_Member]

now that you all wrote about it, i looked it up because i was curious. yes that´s an invasion and they look cheap to me, i would not buy them...

[Former_Member]

It's hard to claim that these necklaces are not handmade as you can actually buy supplies to put them together

(I'm not sure if I should or not link some of the supplies here. I don't want to get in trouble)

Unfortunately the supplies to make these are still very limited in colours and that's why they all look the same. Like someone said, it's like those bird necklaces too...

[Former_Member]

Oh, man be careful, you can get muted for discussing individual shops and/or products in fora.

[CatherineMarissa]

I'd vote that you are wasting your time.

The last thread that I read about bubble necklaces referenced this:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2012/a-closer-look-into-marketplace-integrity/

[WilliamsGiftshop]

This for me is the biggest downside of Etsy: they do NOT take action against shops breaking Etsy rules!
And that is how they damage not only their own reputation, but the reputation of all legitimate sellers on Etsy.

It has been this way since Etsy was founded, so I have no hope it will ever change.
Etsy nowadays is all about the money and resellers and copycats bring in money just like every other seller.... Probably even more, since they have to put in less effort to make more sales.

If you want to keep selling on Etsy, all you can do is let it go. Don't wind yourself up over it.
If Etsy doesn't mind that ten thousands of their own customers break their own rules every single day, what are WE going to do about it? Nothing!

Etsy's has only one reply on the subject, brought with their own sense of humor: "report the shop".
Yeah right! Do Etsy's work for them (for free!), but don't expect any results.
Ow, and be careful! Expressing your concern about other sellers breaking the rules can get you a temporary or even a permanent mute! You will be denied access to the community and only able to run your shop. Why? Because they don't like you emphasizing this issue that is totally out of control.

Hellooooooo Kitty!

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

I want to jump on the "wasting your time" bandwagon. My rant has to do with mature listings. I'm sure that most shops are compliant with the rule of keeping the first thumbnail image for general audiences, but some shops put it out there for anyone to see. I know Etsy is meant to be for 18 and over, however, children under 18 can use the site if supervised by an adult (my 14 year old browses through Etsy from time to time). The Do's and Don'ts section clearly states the rules about mature listings.

"Mature content and/or profane language or images are not allowed in the "first impression" areas of your account, including: your username, Profile, item titles, tags, avatar, banner, Shop Announcement, and/or shop section titles, and your shop's About page."

Just last night I saw a new listing of a birthday card with the S swear word in large bold type printed on the front of the card. I reported it but I doubt anything will be done. I'm not a prude but I think if some shops comply with the rules, they all should.

[Former_Member]

I still occasionally report things, but I honestly don't expect anything to be done about it.

[ElectronicGirl]

i can't stand those bubble necklaces...ugh...so fugly. O_o

[AnnaSiivonen]

Just reported 5 bubble necklaces just because

[ElectronicGirl]

lol @ Anna

[MellowMoonSupply]

I just had to go see what everyone was talking about! I typed in ..bubble necklace.
I came up with bunches!
But what AMAZED me was there were 8 necklaces in a row ALL from DIFFERENT shops ALL IDENTICAL except color.

[Envy2]

I make jewelry and try to set myself apart from the rest with my designs, but these bubble necklaces and the prices it is hard to compete. I have never reported anyone or anything, but can we post this link and send it to etsy in our report so that they can get the jist that we are all feed up. It hurts the REAL crafters and that is what Etsy WAS SUPPOSED to be about!

[PiecesofMeCardsnMore]

ElectronicGirl from ElectronicGirl says
i can't stand those bubble necklaces...ugh...so fugly. O_o

_______________________

**giggle** I have to agree. I did a search after reading this thread last night (because I'd never heard of it) and I don't see the appeal. Too big and bold and gawdy for me.

[MetalRoosterOrganics]

I honestly think that Etsy needs to see our distaste for these resellers and we do something for one day like we did for the SOPA stuff last year. I'm not advocating for radicalism, but this reseller problem is just ridiculous because so many of us are trying to make a living on here, and in alot of instances, we can't all compete against these people with these mass produced goods at bargain basement prices.